2 Kings 3:4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

◄ 2 Kings 3:4 ►

New International Version
Now Mesha king of Moab raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

New Living Translation
King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He used to pay the king of Israel an annual tribute of 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

English Standard Version
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

King James Bible
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

New King James Version
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams.

New American Standard Bible
Now Mesha the king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to make tribute payments to the king of Israel of a hundred thousand lambs, and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

NASB 1995
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and used to pay the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

NASB 1977
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and used to pay the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder and used to pay the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

Amplified Bible
Mesha the king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to pay [an annual tribute] to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

Christian Standard Bible
King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He used to pay the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He used to pay the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams,

American Standard Version
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master; and he rendered unto the king of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs, and of a hundred thousand rams.

Contemporary English Version
For many years the country of Moab had been controlled by Israel and was forced to pay taxes to the kings of Israel. King Mesha of Moab raised sheep, so he paid the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams.

English Revised Version
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster; and he rendered unto the king of Israel the wool of an hundred thousand lambs, and of an hundred thousand rams.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Mesha of Moab raised sheep. [Each year] he had to pay the king of Israel 100,000 male lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams.

Good News Translation
King Mesha of Moab raised sheep, and every year he gave as tribute to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 sheep.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Moab's king Mesha was a sheep breeder. He used to pay 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams to the king of Israel as tribute.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

NET Bible
Now King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He would send as tribute to the king of Israel 100,000 male lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.

New Heart English Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder; and he rendered to the king of Israel the wool of one hundred thousand lambs, and of one hundred thousand rams.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and rendered to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

World English Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder; and he supplied the king of Israel with one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he rendered to the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and one hundred thousand rams, [with] wool,

Young's Literal Translation
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he rendered to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams, with wool,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Misha king of Moab was a shepherd, and he turned back to the king of Israel a hundred; thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams, with the fleece.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Mesa, king of Moab, nourished many sheep, and he paid to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams with their fleeces.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Mesha, the king of Moab, raised many sheep. And he repaid to the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs, and one hundred thousand rams, with their fleece.

New American Bible
Now Mesha, king of Moab, who raised sheep, used to pay the king of Israel as tribute a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

New Revised Standard Version
Now King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder, who used to deliver to the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs, and the wool of one hundred thousand rams.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and he used to bring up to the king of Israel a hundred thousand fat lambs and a hundred thousand rams, with their wool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Misha, King of Moab, was a Sheep Master, and he had been offering to the King of Israel a hundred thousand fatlings of sheep and a hundred thousand rams of wool.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master; and he rendered unto the king of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs, and of a hundred thousand rams.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Mosa king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he rendered to the king of Israel in the beginning of the year, a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion
…3Nevertheless, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them. 4Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. 5But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 22:47
And there was no king in Edom; a deputy served as king.

1 Kings 9:26-28
King Solomon also assembled a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. / And Hiram sent his servants, sailors who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants. / They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents—and delivered it to Solomon.

2 Kings 1:1
After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.

2 Kings 8:20-22
In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. / So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes. / So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.

2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

Judges 3:12-14
Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. / After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms. / The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.

Isaiah 16:1-2
Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion. / Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon:

Amos 1:1
These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

Psalm 60:8
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Jeremiah 48:1-2
Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you.

Ezekiel 25:8-11
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Moab and Seir said, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,” / therefore I will indeed expose the flank of Moab beginning with its frontier cities—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim—the glory of the land. / I will give it along with the Ammonites as a possession to the people of the East, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. ...

Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Luke 3:1
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

Acts 12:20
Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Treasury of Scripture

And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, and rendered to the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

a sheepmaster

Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 26:13,14
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: …

2 Chronicles 26:10
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

rendered

2 Samuel 8:2
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

1 Chronicles 18:2
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

Psalm 60:8
Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

lambs

Isaiah 16:1
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

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Annually Deliver Hundred Israel Lambs Mesha Moab Pay Raised Rams Regularly Rendered Sheep Supply Thousand Used Wool

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2 Kings 3

1. Jehoram's reign
4. Mesha rebels
6. Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water,
13. by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory
21. The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome
26. The king of Moab sacrifices his son, and raises the siege

Berean Study Bible

Now Mesha king of Moab
Mesha, the king of Moab, is a significant historical figure, also mentioned in the Mesha Stele, an archaeological artifact that corroborates biblical accounts. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and often found themselves in conflict with Israel. Mesha's reign is marked by his rebellion against Israelite control, which is a central theme in this chapter. His leadership and defiance are emblematic of the Moabite spirit of independence and resistance against foreign domination.

was a sheep breeder
The phrase "sheep breeder" indicates Mesha's wealth and the economic foundation of Moab. In ancient Near Eastern societies, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and power. The Hebrew term used here can also imply a ruler or leader, suggesting that Mesha's role as a breeder was not just economic but also political, as he managed and controlled significant resources.

and he used to pay the king of Israel a tribute
Tribute payments were common in the ancient world, serving as a sign of subjugation and allegiance. The tribute from Moab to Israel indicates a period of Israelite dominance over Moab. This relationship was likely established during the reign of King David or Solomon, who expanded Israel's influence. The tribute was a means of maintaining peace and ensuring Moab's protection under Israel's power.

of a hundred thousand lambs
The specific number of lambs highlights the substantial wealth and resources of Moab. Lambs were valuable for their meat, milk, and wool, and such a large tribute underscores the economic burden placed on Moab. This also reflects the agricultural prosperity of the region, which was necessary to sustain such a large flock.

and the wool of a hundred thousand rams
Wool was a critical commodity in the ancient world, used for clothing and trade. The mention of "a hundred thousand rams" emphasizes the scale of the tribute and the wealth of Moab. It also suggests the importance of textile production in Moab's economy. The tribute of wool, alongside lambs, indicates a comprehensive demand on Moab's resources, which would have been a significant factor in Mesha's eventual rebellion.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) The revolt of Moab, continued from 2Kings 1:1. Ahaziah did not reign two full years, and his accident seems to have prevented any attempt on his part to reduce the Moabites.

Mesha.--The name means "deliverance, salvation," and occurs on the monument set up by this king, describing his victories and buildings. (See Note on 2Kings 1:1.)

A sheep-master.--Heb., noq?d (Amos 1:1). In Arabic, naqad means a kind of sheep of superior wool; naqqad, the owner or shepherd of such sheep. The land of Moab is mountainous, but well watered, and rich in fertile valleys, and thus specially suited for pasture; and the Arabian wilderness lay open to the Moabite shepherds and their flocks.

Rendered.--Used to render (waw conversive of the perfect); scil., year by year. This tribute is referred to in Isaiah 16:1. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 4-27. - THE WAR WITH MOAB. The historian goes back to the origin of the war. He had already, in 2 Kings 1:1, mentioned the revolt of Moab at the death of Ahab; but he now recalls his readers' attention to the fact, and to some extent explains it and accounts for it. Moab had been treated oppressively - had been forced to pay an extraordinarily heavy tribute - and was in a certain sense driven into rebellion (vers. 4, 5). Jehoram, when he came to the kingdom, determined to make a great effort to put the rebellion down, and to re-establish the authority of Israel over the revolted people His relations with Jehoshaphat of Israel were so close that he had no difficulty in persuading him to join in the war. He was also able to obtain the alliance of the King of Edom. Thus strengthened, he made no doubt of being successful, and confidently invaded the country (vers. 6-9). The course of the war is then related (vers. 10-27).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now Mesha
וּמֵישַׁ֥ע (ū·mê·ša‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4338: Mesha -- 'deliverance', king of Moab

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Moab
מוֹאָ֖ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

was
הָיָ֣ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a sheep breeder,
נֹקֵ֑ד (nō·qêḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5349: Sheep raiser, sheep dealer, sheep tender

and he would render
וְהֵשִׁ֤יב (wə·hê·šîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to the king
לְמֶֽלֶךְ־ (lə·me·leḵ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

a hundred
מֵאָה־ (mê·’āh-)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

thousand
אֶ֣לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

lambs
כָּרִ֔ים (kā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3733: A ram, a, battering-ram, a meadow, a pad, camel's saddle

and the wool
צָֽמֶר׃ (ṣā·mer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6785: Wool

of a hundred
וּמֵ֥אָה (ū·mê·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

thousand
אֶ֖לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

rams.
אֵילִ֥ים (’ê·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

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OT History: 2 Kings 3:4 Now Mesha king of Moab was (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)